The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency could look much different next week if the legislature’s Democratic majority successfully approves four new members. Lawmakers said they want to re-shape the board that guides and incentivizes project development and job creation to reflect their priorities.
OCIDA’s bylaws say the legislature has the sole authority to appoint all seven members of the agency regardless of whether they’ve finished their terms. Legislature chairwoman Nicole Watts said she’s nominating four new members.
“In this lineup, we have representation of professional and lived experience related to corporations, small business, labor, housing, investments, development, and more," she said. "These individuals are rooted in our community, coming from different backgrounds and perspectives that make up our diverse county.”
The four include small business owner, real estate agent, and former common councilor Michael Greene; CNY Fair Housing Executive Director Sally Santangelo, Dekka Eysaman, Executive Director of the newly established South Side Community Growth Foundation; and, Christina Hollenback, Co-Founder of Municipal Finance Innovation Lab.
“We're blindsided and dumbstruck by this. Nobody knew this was coming," said Bob Petrovich, OCIDA’s Executive Director and deputy county executive. He defended the work of the board and questioned the legality of the legislature’s move.
“Since I've been in this position as chief executive of the IDA since 2019, our track record and our success is unprecedented. And we are absolutely mindful of not leaving anybody behind to the greatest extent we possibly can.”
Chairwoman Watts said there’s keen interest from the nominees to continue pursuing much-needed economic development opportunities. But she said they want to do more.
“We want to make sure that it is also representative of maybe some projects that haven't historically been considered under OCIDA, most particularly around the housing opportunities that we have as a region," Watts said.
Petrovich countered that housing projects are already a priority.
"We're certainly talking about the Twin Ponds project in Manlius but there are other housing projects that are going to be coming before us and others that we've supported," he said. "We're mindful of all of that and understand the opportunity but also the challenge and we work hard to achieve that."
A developer is seeking tax breaks for Twin Ponds, a 309-unit apartment complex on N. Burdick St.
The legislature is scheduled to vote on the following nominees at its Tuesday session:
Michael Greene owns Harvey’s Garden in Syracuse and is a commercial real estate agent for CBD Brokerage. From 2018 through 2023, Mr. Greene served as Common Councilor at Large for the City of Syracuse, and prior to that, he was an Assistant Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation and a Labor Relations Analyst at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Greene served as a Board Member of the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) from 2018-2022 and volunteers in his community as a Tee Ball coach. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Baruch College and a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. He will serve a term through May 2029.
Sally Santangelo is Executive Director of CNY Fair Housing, a private, non-profit which works across Central and Northern New York to eliminate housing discrimination and ensure equal access to housing opportunities. In addition, Ms. Santangelo serves on the Board of Directors of Home Headquarters and is Co-President of the Liverpool High School Band Boosters. Santangelo is a proud Onondaga Community College graduate who also earned a Master in Political Science from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany (SUNY) and a Political Science degree from SUNY New Paltz. She will serve a term through May 2029.
Deka Eysaman serves as Executive Director of South Side Community Growth Foundation, and previously worked with the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Urban Jobs Task Force. Ms. Eysaman serves as a Board Member of CNY Works, and an Advisory Council Member of ONRAMP (One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships), an initiative of CenterStateCEO. Eysaman holds a degree in Policy Studies from Syracuse University, and is currently enrolled in an Executive Master of Public Administration program from the Maxwell School and is anticipated to graduate later this year. She will serve a term through May 2029.
Christina Hollenback is the Co-Founder of Municipal Finance Innovation Lab, a start-up which advises municipalities on how to scale infrastructure investments. Prior to starting the Innovation Lab, Ms. Hollenback founded and led Justice Capital for nearly a decade where she brought together investors, foundations, public sector partners, and community-led solutions to impact environmental and social impact. Hollenback serves as a Trustee to the NAACP Foundation and as an Advisory Board Member of the Inside Circle Foundation. She holds a degree from the University of Michigan in Social Science. She will serve a term through May 2027.
In addition to four new appointments, Chairwoman Watts is retaining OCIDA Chairman Randy Wolken, and members Alan Marzullo and Mark Muthumbi. All three were appointed by the Republican-led Legislature in December.
Randy Wolken serves as Chair of the OCIDA Board and a member of the Finance and Governance Committees. Mr. Wolken also serves as the President of MACNY, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York. Prior to his 25 years at MACNY, he served as Executive Director of the Samaritan Center. Wolken holds a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His term expires in May 2028.
Alan Marzullo will continue serving on the OCIDA Board. Mr. Marzullo is Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 43 since 2018, having been a proud member since 1990. Marzullo also serves on the boards of the Onondaga Community College Foundation, the Central New York Labor Federation (AFL-CIO), and CNY Works. He will serve a term through May 2028.
Mark Muthumbi will also continue serving on the OCIDA Board. Mr. Muthumbi is Regional President for Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Central New York Region. Muthumbi serves on the boards of the Longhouse Council (Boy Scouts of America), Hospice of Central New York, and Three Rivers Development Corporation. He will serve a term through May 2027.
